In this lesson students will learn about the life of Charles Darwin, and an intro to his theory of natural selection. Charles Darwin and his theory of natural selection are often referred to as the base of all biological research. For the students to understand
Objectives
Students will note what Charles Darwin's contribution to evolution.
Students will have a general introductory knowledge about the theory of natural selection.
To start the unit off I will ask the students a few questions about what they know about evolution. For each question I will allow for some guesses as to what they think is correct and then tell them what it is. (5 Minutes)
What is Evolution? .... Evolution is successful changes over the set of generations of organisms.
What does it mean to be a scientific Theory?... Theory in science means it is a well tested hypothesis
What is the big name behind evolution?
Are we (humans) still evolving?... Yes, slowly and you will learn how in the next 2 weeks.
Engagement
The video of Charles Darwin (Darwin video) is how I want to start off the unit, I hope that it will grab the students attention and interest on the subject. The video is approximately 10 minutes long, it touches upon Darwin's theory of natural selection. It also shows how his idea back in the day was ridiculed for opposing the ideas of the bible. In the event of a question about religion I can simply say that this is not something they are required to believe, It is however an important theory to understand in the study of biology. Some of the main points of the clip will be listed on the note sheet I will give them that they can either answer during the clip, or after when we discuss Darwin.
Now 15 - 20 minutes into the class I will spend the next 10 minutes with a power point of Charles Darwin and Natural selection (enter powerpoint here). It discusses the following topics.
When he was born and died, where he lived, and where he went to school
The book he wrote (The Origin of Species)
The Ship he sailed in and where he went
His theory of Natural selection.
How he developed this theory (Finches)
With this powerpoint I will have a sheet for each student for them to record some of the important points of my slides which they can place in their binders.
Closing
To finish I will play the 2nd part of the clip, the second half shows Darwin thinking about what the variations in the finches must mean. It also shows how he was developing his theory from them. This will be a good way to end right before I open up next time with the theory of natural selection. Darwin 2nd part
Assessment
No assessment will be taken since it will be the first lesson in the Unit
Homework
For homework, I will tell the students to think about organisms like the finches that have very similar relatives, why they may be different and how these differences might benefit, or hurt them. (moths, other birds, snakes, wild cats, etc.)
Unit: Evolution
Lesson: 1
Title: Darwin
Lesson Overview
In this lesson students will learn about the life of Charles Darwin, and an intro to his theory of natural selection. Charles Darwin and his theory of natural selection are often referred to as the base of all biological research. For the students to understand
Objectives
Students will note what Charles Darwin's contribution to evolution.Students will have a general introductory knowledge about the theory of natural selection.
Materials
Fill-in notes for students
Computer and projector
Powerpoint
Links to Resources
Darwin video
Darwin 2nd part
Opening
To start the unit off I will ask the students a few questions about what they know about evolution. For each question I will allow for some guesses as to what they think is correct and then tell them what it is. (5 Minutes)
Engagement
The video of Charles Darwin (Darwin video) is how I want to start off the unit, I hope that it will grab the students attention and interest on the subject. The video is approximately 10 minutes long, it touches upon Darwin's theory of natural selection. It also shows how his idea back in the day was ridiculed for opposing the ideas of the bible. In the event of a question about religion I can simply say that this is not something they are required to believe, It is however an important theory to understand in the study of biology. Some of the main points of the clip will be listed on the note sheet I will give them that they can either answer during the clip, or after when we discuss Darwin.
Now 15 - 20 minutes into the class I will spend the next 10 minutes with a power point of Charles Darwin and Natural selection (enter powerpoint here). It discusses the following topics.
With this powerpoint I will have a sheet for each student for them to record some of the important points of my slides which they can place in their binders.
Closing
To finish I will play the 2nd part of the clip, the second half shows Darwin thinking about what the variations in the finches must mean. It also shows how he was developing his theory from them. This will be a good way to end right before I open up next time with the theory of natural selection.
Darwin 2nd part
Assessment
No assessment will be taken since it will be the first lesson in the UnitHomework
For homework, I will tell the students to think about organisms like the finches that have very similar relatives, why they may be different and how these differences might benefit, or hurt them. (moths, other birds, snakes, wild cats, etc.)